I Lived Out of Airbnbs for 3 Years — On Purpose

Not because I couldn’t afford rent.
But because I wanted to understand every startup ecosystem in the country.

While most founders stayed put and wondered why their networks were small, I took the opposite path:

I lived in hacker houses across America.

From Coast to Coast: The Startup Energy Shift

📍New York
A high-energy, high-chaos scene.

Most of my 10 housemates partied more than they worked.
But somehow, they were raising hundreds of millions in funding.

That house taught me something surprising:

Relationships matter just as much as hustle.

📍Miami
Complete contrast.

Laser-focused founders.
No distractions.
Their startups were profitable — not just hyped.

Some of my closest friendships in business were forged here.
The energy was productive and intense — in the best way.

📍San Francisco
Basically a startup commune.

I lived with 25 other founders in the Tenderloin.
The neighborhood was gritty.
The ambition inside the house was unmatched.

Perfect for a hungry 20-year-old trying to figure things out.

What Hacker Houses Taught Me

Those 3 years were messy, uncomfortable, and absolutely priceless.

Here’s what I got from it:

  • 🔁 Instant feedback on business ideas from people building every day

  • 🧰 Early access to new tools before they went mainstream

  • 🧠 Late-night problem-solving convos that unblocked me

  • 🌐 A deep network that extended well beyond the houses

What I Have Now

Today, Hampton fills that role for me.

When I have a problem, five experienced founders respond before I’ve even finished asking.

It’s powerful.
But honestly?

I still miss those early days.

The chaos.
The camaraderie.
The raw, unfiltered learning.

Where I Am Today

I’m 28 now.
I’m finally ready to settle down in Santa Monica.

But I wouldn’t be here without those hacker houses.

They gave me the mindset, the network, and the courage to build Panoptyc from the ground up.